The Long and Short Of It: Health Clues in Fingers & Arms?

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- From cancer to stroke to Alzheimer's, clues to conditions you may be at risk for are hiding in plain sight! Your body parts may hold some important health secrets.

For instance, Redheads feel more pain! A study shows a mutation of the gene responsible for red hair, may also control the way the brain regulates pain sensitivity.

If you fly off the handle, check your fingers!

A study in the Journal of Communications found if you have a smaller index finger than ring finger, you’re likely to be more verbally aggressive. A 2010 study shows, men whose index fingers were longer than their ring fingers, were one-third less likely to get prostate cancer. Short people may have the last laugh. A study in the Western Journal of Medicine found the onset of chronic disease is often delayed in smaller bodies.

Your arm length could be a tell-tale sign of Alzheimer's. Women with arms less than 60 inches across may be one and a half times more likely to develop the disease.

Women with smaller calves could have a higher risk of stroke.

Also take a look at your finger and toenails. If the very base is purple or blue, it could indicate a heart issue.

One more thing, what’s your favorite smell? If your nose doesn’t know, it could mean trouble. A lack of the sense of smell is related to the onset of Parkinson's. MORE.

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If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Andrew McIntosh at amcintosh@ivanhoe.com.